The Nigerian Police Force (NPF), in collaboration with the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and other stakeholders, have advocated a peaceful and violence-free governorship election in Osun State.
The call was made on Saturday during an advocacy walk across Osogbo metropolis tagged, “Advocacy Walkathon: Say No to Electoral Violence,” organised by the Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV).
Speaking at the event, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), Akinyele Fasuba, assured the people of the state of the police’s preparedness to ensure the peaceful conduct of the governorship election scheduled for August 15, 2026.
Fasuba said the Nigerian Police Force, as the lead agency responsible for internal security, had put necessary measures in place to ensure a peaceful electoral process.
He commended POCACOV for organising the advocacy walk ahead of the election, saying the initiative was aimed at sensitising the public, particularly youths, against cultism, thuggery, drug abuse and other criminal activities that could undermine the electoral process.
He added that the police would not hesitate to take decisive action against individuals or groups whose activities could threaten the peaceful conduct of the election.
Also speaking, the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, assured residents of the preparedness of the Nigeria Police and other security agencies to provide adequate security during the election.
The CP, however, called for the cooperation and collaboration of residents, political actors and other stakeholders to complement the efforts of the security agencies.
“We need the support and collaboration of each and everyone. Adequate security will be provided in each of the polling units in the state. Each of the polling units will be manned by at least four police officers, together with other security agencies.
“We are here to assure the people of Osun State to come out and exercise their civic responsibilities without fear or intimidation by anyone.”
Gotan assured that the police would maintain absolute neutrality and that the election would be credible, free and fair.
Meanwhile, the National Coordinator of the Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices, SP Orvenonne Ikwen, highlighted the collaborative efforts of NANS, NDLEA, NYSC and other critical stakeholders in promoting a peaceful election.
Ikwen said the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Ridwan Disu, directed the group to organise the advocacy walkathon as part of efforts to reassure residents of the police’s commitment to a peaceful and credible election.
She explained that the campaign was also designed to encourage voters to exercise their franchise peacefully.
“The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Ridwan Disu, has directed us to organise a walkathon ahead of the governorship election in Osun State to assure the good people of Osun State that the election will be free and credible without any form of intimidation.”
She therefore urged the public to vote and not fight, stressing that the campaign frowned against all forms of violence.
, in collaboration with the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and other stakeholders, have advocated a peaceful and violence-free governorship election in Osun State.){kind=link}